Luis Mancilla, of Coatsville, and originally from Equador, holds his sleeping son Aaron, 6, as they wait for hours for the arrival of Pope Francis at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Sept. 26, 2015.
Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com
(Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com)

Emily Johnson lays on the lawn at Independence Hall with friends Taylor Bondiskey and Sofia Filipuzzi, all of Philadelphia, for the arrival of Pope Francis, Sept. 26, 2015. Filipuzzi and her family are originally from Argentina.
Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com
(Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com)

Depending on your tastes and point of view, singer Andrea Bocelli was the highlight of Saturday night's Festival of Families on the Parkway.

He didn't disappoint.

Bocelli's moving rendition of "The Lord's Prayer" was accompanied by the
Philadelphia Orchestra
and the Philadelphia Heritage Chorale, came toward the end of the pope's appearance at the event. Bocelli was escorted to the pope after he finished and the two embraced, then performed one more piece after the pope left.

An Italian classical tenor and singer-songwriter,
Bocelli told TIME magazine last week
that he possesses a deep affection for the pontiff. "Having the chance to sing again in front of the Holy Father, for whom I have deep and sincere devotion, offering my humble contribution as a fervent Catholic, is a great honor for me. St. Augustine notoriously reminds us that singing is an extraordinary form of prayer. And this is my goal, my purpose and my joy: to pray together," he said.

Here's a video, courtesy of the Catholic Television Network, of Bocelli singing "The Lord's Prayer."